331 St. Clair Street, Frankfort, KY 40602 PHONE: 1-877-302-2011
On the Issues
Any
plans to revitalize Kentucky , in any manner, must first wait to solve
Frankfort’s dysfunctional governing process. No solutions will be
passed as long as the parties act like two bull elk with their horns
locked together who cannot disengage. Therefore all of their effort and
energy is involved in the push/pull of their struggle while
the
business of the People lies neglected in the dust. As an Independent
Governor, I can unlock those horns and breathe new life into both
parties by encouraging them to work together on behalf of the People.
If they won’t do it then, I suggest we replace them next.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Gatewood/Riley
are currently creating an Economic Plan for Kentucky. We have
solicited the best economic, marketing, business development minds in
the Commonwealth as too effect real economic change. Our focus will be
to provide jobs and opportunities to the people of Kentucky. Stay tuned
for our "Kentucky Prosperity" to be published soon.
EDUCATION In 1991, we spent 68 % of our budget on education. Today, we spend
59%. We must recommit money to prepare our students for the job
market. Our plan is called the “Commonwealth Incentive”.
I believe that each high school graduate should get a $5000 voucher for
books, tuition and fees to any institution within Kentucky that can
train them for employment, whether it be college, vocational school or
workplace training. This is not a bank account and can not be spent on
pizza, rent or beer. It is solely for the direct educational expenses
meant to further train all of our graduates for future employment and
gives them 10 years to use it. It is a very precise stimulus for
education and employment.
We must get out of the narrow consideration of higher education for
some of our children and expand it to consider further education for
all of them. Our C and D students deserve the opportunity be trained
into employability also.
This plan should inspire lots of students in many poorer counties to
consider efforts to continue their education after high school and it
should attract many vocational schools and worker training programs to
locate in Kentucky because it would be a target-rich environment for
students to train, especially for new and emerging industries. Their
books, tuition and fees are covered. This will also be a big economic
break for every parent with school age children.
This is an economic/education stimulus package which will create jobs
throughout the state and the beauty of it is that the money is only
spent after each of the students themselves makes an internal
commitment to train for employability. This is not money spent on some
big building which may or may not attract students. It is a specific
expenditure with immediate benefits and it all gets spent in Kentucky
where taxes collected from the expenditures get returned to the state
in the form of taxes.
Kentucky must consider new methods of training our workforce and
creating new jobs. This program achieves both aims and we MUST afford
the cost or continue our status of poverty and illiteracy.
ENERGY Kentucky could become the energy capitol of the United States. Our
coal and mineral reserves are well documented as bio-industrial
development to be utilized as a fuel crops. Add that to our wind and
water power and I believe we are a match for any other state. We would
like to proceed as “green” as possible because we need to attract
progressive new businesses who will demand same. That is why the next
issue is so important.
ENVIRONMENT The environment will forever be a top three issue in any
intelligent political campaign. Ours is no different. We must be
conscious of our impact on the earth. Therefore, whatever our industry
or work, we must insist on reclaiming the land for future use and
restoring the hills and streams to their natural state. Enforcement of
current regulations and tax incentives to foster compliance are
critical tools to protect our living space. Utilization of Kentucky's
natural resources for the purpose of recreation, tourism, and education
are key to fostering economic growth.
CASINO GAMING Casinos are a fact in our modern economy. We are losing lots of
dollars to neighboring states who have “gaming” while we don’t. I
believe that the issue should be put to a vote by the People. If they
turn it down, that ends it. If they approve, then the gaming sites have
to be at the racetracks first, then other places if economically
justified.
But here is where the Galbraith/Riley ticket truly differs from all the
other candidates and hopefully earns your support. We believe that our
Commonwealth should own the gaming enterprise (like the Native
Americans own their own) and give the tracks a management contract to
fatten their purses and make their tracks economically viable.
That way, instead of the $100-200 Million in taxes to Kentucky that our
opponents are talking about, we would realize between $500 Million to a
Billion Dollars in new money. Also, since the state would be setting
the amount of return on each dollar spent by its patrons, we could be
retuning more than the competing casinos in other states and entice
their gamblers to our operations.
AGRICULTURE I was born in a small farming town in Central Kentucky in 1947. Our
local economy depended a great deal on the tobacco crop, some corn,
honey and walnuts and any other agricultural products our hard-working
small farm owners could divest from the land. My nine-member family
had a full one-acre garden where we grew a large part of our summer
fare and callouses too. I have cut and housed tobacco and hay, worked
on horse farms and in orchards as a migrant farm worker. I also owned a
tractor company for 4 years. My lifelong dream has been to lift
Kentucky into prosperity by returning to its land as the means of
producing wealth. Our plan is to introduce to Kentucky Bio-Industrial
Development. Particularly the Western portion of our state is ripe for
this new industry. This is an industry that Kentucky can lead the
world. I support Kentucky farmers in their effort to grow Hemp as an
industrial/textile/fuel crop. That started out as a lonely position
many years ago but now 5 Governors have agreed with me on returning it
as a cash crop. Both Canada and China enjoy a multi billion-dollar Hemp
industry each year, while Kentucky remains in the dark ages of
agricultural development.
I will initiate the development of Bio-Industry as a collection of
farmer’s cooperatives for distillation and refinement on a localized
level so as to spread the wealth as much as possible. This effort will
include, research, education, distribution, market development and
international trade and export. In the energy market of today,
Kentucky’s bio-fuel production could be notable and profitable.
Our farm economy should be as diverse as possible. Branding programs
like Kentucky Pride have proven to be a positive step towards promoting
the agricultural industry, but we need to expand our programs and
markets. I would like to energetically pursue a program for organic
production of ASH-Free beef. (No antibiotics, steroids or hormones).
Tobacco is still an important income producer and we need to protect
Kentucky’s reputation as the best in the world. Our commitment is to
remain agile and ready to take advantage of every available opportunity
to advance Kentucky’s farm economy. Our effort is to put our Farmers
back to work for us. Everything agricultural truly is On The Table.
FEDERAL ISSUES AFFECTING KENTUCKY
There are many and they are complicated. Recently the United States
has experienced a citizen’s movement demanding a return of states
sovereignty rights, fiscal responsibility and a return to American
values. Most of us know these groups as “Tea Partiers”. Their effort
has focused primarily on the out of control spending and violation of
those inalienable rights bestowed to Americans in our Constitution. No
party is innocent whereas both the Republican and now the Democrat
administration have spent trillions of dollars burdening our children
and grandchildren with a lifetime debt. We often speak of the 2nd
Amendment and our right as citizens to bear arms, - we both are gun
owners. We are conservatives who believe in a limited government and
place individual rights as a priority. We are state’s rights advocates
who are sworn against unfunded mandates from both federal and state
government. We believe is fiscal conservatism, personal
responsibility and private sector growth.
We are concerned that the current “stimulus” spending will mollify the
people short-term but end up devaluing the dollar and creating no new
jobs resulting in a continuing economic crisis. Our current Governor
has accepted and spent “stimulus” monies, yet our unemployment rate has
increased and the state budget remains grossly underfunded.
Unemployment and Food Stamp benefits are at an all time high. We do
not support socialized medicine. We do agree there needs to be
sweeping health reform, and intend to work on health care for Kentucky
by putting county health departments to work. We do not support the
current Cap n Trade legislation being proposed. We are very concerned
that the increase to energy bills as proposed in the Cap n Trade
program will have a disproportionate effect on Kentuckians. We welcome
the move towards clean energy and environmental strict standards. As
Governor and Lt. Governor we hope to establish an improved working
relationship with our current Washington delegation and serve as a
constant reminder as to the expectations of the people of Kentucky.
MILITARY Kentucky has a long and distinguished history of military service,
from Fort Knox to Fort Campbell our sidewalks are filled with true-life
heroes. In addition, the military facilities in Kentucky have
contributed greatly to the overall economic development of Kentucky.
In past years military mean and women have fought to ensure that our
bases were left open retaining a much-valued tradition of service.
Marine Gatewood Galbriath.... Throughout childhood I was subject to bouts of asthma, which landed
me in the hospital on many occasions. This continued throughout my
teens and it resulted in my Draft Status for military service in 1966
as 4F, unfit for military service. I couldn’t be drafted. I didn’t have
to serve.
But my patriotic senses were a call to duty that I could not ignore. I
convinced two doctors that I had outgrown my asthma and they wrote
letters that got me accepted into the United State Marine Corps in
April of 1966. 5 weeks into basic training on Paris Island, I came
into contact with a pocket of dust that triggered a major attack. I hit
the deck unable to breathe and they carried me to the infirmary where
the doctor immediately reconfirmed my status as 4F. I was devastated.
For many years I was unable to express my status as a Marine because I
felt I had let them down. Then the Colonel in charge of the young
Marines called me out in public and informed me that any one whose shoe
had voluntarily hit the asphalt on the Island at 2:30 in the morning
forever deserved the privilege of calling themselves a Marine. Note:
there are no ex-Marines. So I proudly claim the status of a Marine and
feel a true empathy for all of our servicemen and servicewomen, and
their families and loved ones. Semper Fi
TAXES Gatewood Galbraith and Dea Riley are truly Conservative people
and candidates who understand that you CANNOT Tax a Population into
Prosperity. The people, individuals and small business owners shoulder
too much of Kentucky’s tax burden, as it is and we believe and fully
support relief. This is not a promise to cut taxes, but if we can, we
will.
We do believe in Tax Reform (restructuring) specifically designed to
ease the tax burden of Kentucky Small Business Owners (our bread and
butter) for the purpose of increasing employment, revenue and general
economic development. Our administration will offer tax- free
incentives to business and entrepreneurs willing to invest in the
development of our great Commonwealth.
This is most definitely a promise: WE WILL NOT RAISE ANY TAX. We
pledge to utilize your tax dollars in a more efficient and honest
manner than currently.
Wasteful spending, personal payback contracts with the state, cronyism
and corruption cost Kentucky hundreds of millions of dollars each year
and that fact is now taking a terrible toll during these critical
financial times. Dea and I are committed to proving that our
Commonwealth can prosper by letting the people keep what they earn and
apply it to their own welfare and not the government’s.
GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY Recent newspaper and blog headlines throughout Kentucky have
screamed about the out-of-control spending and corruption plaguing our
government and pseudo-government agencies such as the Department of
Transportation (Road Contractors), Lexington Library, the Bluegrass
Airport, Kentucky Association of Counties (KACo) and the Kentucky
League of Cities and now the office of Mining and Regulation. Strip
clubs, outrageous meals and lodging expenditures, limo service,
flagrant gifts and perks…nothing seems too good for these government
servants - all at the taxpayer’s expense. Through it all our current
administration made little or no effort to establish reform nor cared
to make a public statement.
Folks, this is just the tip of the iceberg. In Frankfort, the backroom
dealing and trades, payoffs and the quid pro quo are how our government
has been operating for decades. There is a direct correlation between
the corruption and the continuing decline of Kentucky.
In Kentucky government corruption is not Corruption with a capitol C - it has become a Culture. We
believe that the best cure for this Disease of Corruption is the
antiseptic power of transparency. Let us all do what is right for the
People and we will have nothing to hide. Is this Naïve on our part? No.
We must make it happen because look where the alternative has taken us.
Our leaders currently have no reliable system of accountability and
they are stealing from us accordingly.
We would like to offer you an article written by journalist Rachel
Dean of Harrodsburg who stated she was inspired after having listened
to us speak on the subject.
Open records: our taxes, our government and our right to know Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 4:05pm – Rachel Dean
On payday, it's hard not to notice how our net pay differs from our
gross pay and how much of our money goes to taxes. We shrug it off
after that. I mean, what are we really going to do about it?
For many, "taxes" are just vague notions we have no control over.
What's the old expression? Oh yeah, it's "all you really have to do in
life is pay taxes and die."
By habit and no fault of our own, we believe the money disappears and
is no longer ours. That is not the case, or at least that isn't how it
should be.
It is still our money. We can't see it or touch it in a direct literal
sense, but we all frequently use some of the products and services paid
for by the money. Roads, emergency protection – and maybe a few other
things.
When we consider the dollar amounts attached to government spending do
we realize that all of that money came from our pockets, our sweat and
our time away from our families?
This was a hard connection for me to make in my brain. And, I'm not
saying anything about how taxes should be lowered or how government
spending may or may not be way out of control. I'm just saying it is
our government, our money, and it's time for this generation to take it
seriously and hold all politicians, on a local, state or national
level, accountable for their stewardship of our resources.
It's time we start asking questions.
For what exactly is our money being used? Is it for services that we
need, or is it used for secret things over which we have no control?
We have to asses our governments to see if they have our needs and
rights as their main focus. We may stumble on a few things some
officials wish we hadn't. They are public officials, so they know (or
ought to know) their actions are (or should be) transparent.
Thanks to this little thing called the Kentucky Open Records and Open
Meetings Act, we have access to the public records. The Kentucky
General Assembly gives the purpose of the act as follows: "free and
open examination of public records is in the public interest, and the
exceptions provided for by KRS 61.878 or otherwise provided by law,
shall be strictly construed, even though such examination may cause
inconvenience or embarrassment to public officials or others."
The Open Records Act was originally enacted and became effective in
1976. The Act was first amended in 1986, and underwent substantial
amendment in the 1994 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Those
amendments took effect in 1994 (House Bill 64). For more information on
the act, visit http://ag.ky.gov/civil/orom/outline.htm <http://ag.ky.gov/civil/orom/outline.htm> on the Web.
We, the public, are entitled to view the follow records which include
but are not limited to: meeting minutes; expenditures; deeds;
marriages; police blotters, incident and arrest reports and 911
recordings; reprimands to employees regarding job-related misconduct;
records reflecting improper use of public equipment as well as audio
tapes of an open meeting.
Basically, any documentation, regardless of physical form or
characteristics, which is prepared, owned, used, in possession of or
retained by a public agency is open. If the records don't pertain to
functions, activities, programs or operations funded by state or local
authority, they may not be open.
There are some rules as to how you can request the records and there
may be some exceptions to the list provided here, but to be sure, call
the General Assembly for more information or if your request is denied.
Also, all meetings of a quorum of the members of any public agency at
which any public business is discussed or at which any action is taken
by the agency, are by law, public meetings, open to the public at all
times.
Don't get overwhelmed. Ask questions. Get answers. Hold officials
accountable. Don't wait for someone else to do it. Take a stand. Every
generation must inevitably stand up against civil injustices and fight
for the freedom that is ours.
For questions and
concerns not be listed here, please feel free to
contact us directly via e-mail or phone. Please see our Media Center
for a host of radio and television interviews.
